Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-11-20

WAS what he was Qetermlntu W naNo. Ahe
compliant manager volunteered to ask
some other gentleman, housed on the in
ferior upper story-whieh was Lit through
out with gas-to change rooms. Hearing
this, and being quite willing to exchange
a small bed chamber for a laTgeone, Henry
volunteered to be the other gentleman.
The excellent American shook hands with
him on the spot. ''You are a cultured per
son, sir" he said, land you will no doubt
understand the decorations"
Henry looked at the number OF the
room on the door as he opened 1t. The
number was Fourteen.
Tired and sleepy, he naturally antici-
pated a good nights rest, In the thorough
ly healthy state of his nervous system, ne
slept as we'll in q bed abroad as in a bed at
home. Without the slightest ~assignable
reason, however, his just expectations were
disappointed. The luxurious bed, the well
ventilated room, the delicious tranquility
of Venice BY night, all were in favor OF his
sleeping we'll. He never slept at all. An
indescribable sense of depression and dis
comfort kept him waking through darkness
and daylight alike. He went down to the
coffee O as soon as the hotel was astir,
and ordered some breakfast. Another I'M
accountable change in himself appeared
with the appearance of the meal. He was
absolutely without appetite. An excellent
omelet and outlets cooked to perfection he
sent away untasted-he, whose appetite
never failed him, whose digestion was still
equal TO any demand on it
The day was bright and fine. He sent
for a gondola, and was rowed to the Lido.
Out on the airy lagoon he felt like a new
man. He had not left the hotel ten min
utes before he was fast asleep in the gon-
dola. Waking on reaching the landing
place, he crossed the Lido and enjoyed a
morning swim in the Adriatic. There was
only a poor restaurant on the island III
those days, but his appetite was now ready
for anything; he eat whatever was offered
to HIM, like a fdmished man.
He could hardly believe, when he reflect
ed on it, that he had sent away UNLISTED
his excellent breakfast at the hotel.
Returning to Venice, he spent the rest
of the day in the picture galleries and the
churches. Toward 6 o'clock his gOrdola
took him back, with another fine appetite,
to meet some travelling &C uaintances with
whom he had engaged to dine at the table
d'hOte.
The dinner was deservedly rewarded
with the highest approval by every guest
in the hotel but one. To Henry's aston
ishment the appetite with which lie had
entered the house mysteriOusly Il com
pletely left him when he sat down TO
table. He could drink some wine, but he
could literally eat nothing. What in
the world is the matter with yOu?" his
travelling acquaintance asked. He could
honestly answer, ~ know no more than
you do"
When night came he gave his com!orta-
| BILE and beautiful bedroom another trial.
The result of the second experiment was a
repetition of the result of the first. Again
he felt the all peIyading sense of depres-
| sion and discomfort Again he passed y
sleepless night. And once more when he
| tried to eat his breakfast his appetite como
pletely failed him.
This personal experience of the new
hotel was too extraordinary to be passed
over in silence. Henry mentioned
il to his friends in the public
room, in the heating Of the
manager. The manager, naturally Jealous
in defense of the hotel, was q little hurt at
the Implied reflection cast on Number
Fourteen. He invited the travellers pies
ent 10 Judge for themselves whether Mr..
Westwick's bedroom was to blame for Mr..
Westwick's sleepless night, and he espec-
tally appealed to n gray headed gentleman,
a guest at the breakfast table Of an English
traveller, to take the lead in the mvestiga-
ton. This is Doctor Bruno, our first
physician in Venice" he explained. 81
appeal to him to say il there are any I'm.
healthy influences III Mr.. Westwick's
rOom."
Introduced to Number Fourteen, the
doctor looked around him with a certain
appearance OF interest, which was noticed
by every one present. 1.-THE last time |
was in this room" he said, was on a mel
anchOly occasion. 1t was before the pal
ace was changed into an hotel. | was in
professional attendance on an English no.
bleman who died here" One of the per-
sons present inquired the name of the
nobleman. DR.. Bruno answered-without
the slightest suspicion that he was speak
ing before IL brother of the dead man
Lord Montbarry."
Henry quietly left the room, without
saying a word 10 anybody.
lie was not, in any sense OF the term, a
superstitious man. But he felt, neverthe-
less, an insurmountable relutance TO re.
naming in the hotel. He decided on leay-
ing Venice. To ask for another room
would be, as he could plainly see, an
otfense in the eyes of the manager. To re-
move to another hotel would he to openly
abandon an establishment in the success OF
which he had a %pecuniary interest. Leav,
ing a note for Arthur Barville, on his ar
rival in Venice, in which ne mentioned
that he had gone to look at the Italian
lakes, and that 4 line addressed to his
hotel at Milan would bring him back
again, he took the afternoon train to Padua
and dined with his usual appetite, and
slept as well as ever that night.
The next day a gentleman and his wife,
returning to Englald by way of Venice,
arrived at the hotel and occupied Number
Fourteen.
Still mindful OF the slur that had beer
cast on one of his best he'd chambers, the
manager took occasion 10 ask the traveller,
the next morning how they liked theil
room. They lett him to Judge for himselI
how well they were satisfied, by remain.
ing q day longer in Venice than they had
originally planned to do, solely for the
purpose of enjoying the excellent accom-
mediation offered to them by the new no,
tel. I'VE have met with nothing like it il
Italy" they said, You may rely on oul
recommending you to all Our friends
On the day when Number Fourteen was
again vacant an English lady, travelling
alone with her maid, arrived at the hotel,
saw the room, and at once engaged it.
The lady was Mrs. Norbury. She had
left Francis Westwick at Milan, occupied
in negotiating for the appearance at hi:
theatre of the new dancer at the Scala,
Not having heard to the contrary, Mrs
Norbury supposed that Arthur Barvillt
and his wife had arrived at Venice. She
was more interested in meeting the young
married cOu pie than in waiting the result
of the hard bargaining which delayed tbs
engagement of the new dancer; and she
volunteered to make her brothers apollo.